Five vying for fair queen, king

Three girls and two boys will vie for the titles when the 2016 Highland County Junior Fair Queen and King contests are held Saturday on the first day of the fair.

This year’s Highland County Fair runs Sept. 3-10.

The queen and king contests will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 3 in the Multipurpose Building on the Highland County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro.

Competing for the queen title will be Emily Parker, Brittany Rhoads and Quinn Walker, and competing for the king title will be Braden Heizer and Cory Warnock. The candidates will be judged on poise and conduct, their application and achievements, a personal interview with the judges, and an oral presentation on this year’s fair theme – Blue Jeans and Country Dreams.

Following is a brief bio on each of the candidates, with the queen candidates listed first:

• Parker – She is the daughter of Chris and Sherry Parker of Greenfield. She attends McClain High School and is representing Girl Scout Troop 1382. She has won awards in the Girl Scouts, swim team and karate, and is also a recipient of the Archie Griffin Award. Her hobbies include playing the piano, baking and reading.

• Rhoads – She is the daughter of Eric and Kathy Rhoads of Hillsboro and attends Hillsboro High School. She is representing the Highland Pigs, Poultry and Lambs 4-H Club. She has won many awards for competitive swimming, poultry judging in FFA, and the poultry skillathon. Her hobbies include baking, singing and being with friends.

• Walker – She is the daughter of Robin and Kim Walker of Hillsboro. She attends Lynchburg-Clay High School and Southern State Community College. She is representing the Highland County Junior Leaders Club. She has won many awards with her family and consumer science and beef projects, as well as in FFA. Her hobbies include showing cattle, sewing and bowling.

• Heizer – He is the son of Brad and Crystal Heizer of Leesburg. He attends Fairfield High School and is representing the Fairfield FFA. He has held offices and won awards in his FFA chapter in floriculture, and is also part of the Academy of Scholars. His hobbies include soccer, an engine repair business and woodworking.

• Warnock – He is the son of Steve and Teresa Warnock of Hillsboro and is a full-time student at Lee University. He is representing the Concord Junior Farmers 4-H Club. He is currently president of his 4-H club, and graduated from high school with honors. His hobbies include farming, studying theology and playing the drums.

There is no monetary award or scholarship for the winners, but Kristen (Jenkins) Satterfield, the 2006 Highland County Fair queen who is now the contest superintendent, previously said there are many benefits to being fair queen or king other than the silver tray, crown and sash they receive.

“Kids who run for queen or king are usually passionate about some part of the fair to begin with, so it gives them a chance to show that passion and to promote something they care a lot about,” Satterfield said. She said it also gives them a chance to visit places and meet people they probably never would have, and helps prepares them to be successful later in life.

The winner is required to represent the Highland County Fair at the Ohio State Fair and other fairs and parades around the state. The queen and king are also required to preside over most all activities at the 2016 county fair.

Listed below are the past winners of the fair queen and king contests. Some former queens are listed by both their maiden and married names, while others are not: